Course: The Heart of ‘The Heart Sutra’ (Run 7)

Many thanks for your sharing yesterday on the Heart Sutra. Greatly appreciate it. I enjoyed it as it was conducted in a lively and fun manner… Very useful for me. I learnt a lot and better understand some of the concepts… Very grateful for your sharing… I have long started helped to promote your books and your courses. It would benefit others who are interested as well. Special thanks for your teaching and sharing. – Violet

Just want to say that this is my first time joining a soo… religious class. It’s enlightening and enriching… To share with you, because of attending the class, I’ve started to learn to see my colleague differently. Not to judge her but to empathise and sympathise with her behaviour. And to be forgiving and more tolerating of others. – Cindy

Thank you for the wonderful session yesterday. – Carrie

Thanks for the wonderful lesson today on the Heart Sutra. – Wenqing

Would also like to stress that you have been very detailed and lively during the whole sessions. – Karen

Indeed, I got a better understanding of the Heart Sutra now than before – Fengyi

Shi’an, it is really nice to receive your notes every week as I have difficulties to retain very ‘chim’ (profound) teachings. Your notes help to reinforce concepts that I will otherwise not retain. Thank you very much. – Maggie

Thank you for sharing your valuable insights with us. I enjoy your lively presentation and use of real life personal examples. I appreciate that the Heart Sutra is very complex and deep, and sometimes it is not easy to convey the meaning of the subtle nuances of this ancient text… Look forward to attending more of your courses. Thank you again for a job well done! – Kit Fun

It is very comprehensive and lays a good basis for further study as the concepts are quite ‘chim’ (profound)… Thanks for the sharing and I wish you many successful runs ahead. – Siew Fern

Really appreciate the effort you put in for this course – the tireless non-stop explanation in class, as well as the comprehensive and precious notes… Thank you. – Chiew How

Hi Shi’an, I recently attended your class on the Heart Sutra. It has been most enlightening… Once again, your sessions have always been great and they have been very enjoyable. Please keep up the good work and I look forward to further sessions soon. Cheers, William

‘Emptiness is form. Form is emptiness.’ A classic verse from the Heart Sutra. Sounds contradicting yet intriguingly true at the same time. Being a beginner learner of the Buddha’s teachings, this doesn’t sound logical to me. The Heart Sutra is the core essence of the Prajna Paramita (Perfection of Wisdom) Though it is the shortest sutra, it is also the most profound sutra. With layman intelligence, it is quite difficult to understand the real meaning behind the verses.

If you read the whole sutra literally, at the end of the reading, you might only conclude that everything is empty. There is no feeling, no perception, no volition, no consciousness, no eye, no ear, no tongue etc. Thus some people have a misconception that Buddhism teaches people to do nothing. Sorry, but this is WRONG. If doing nothing can attain Buddhahood, then why are you and I still here? Emptiness is not nothingness, but being empty of any unchanging fixed nature.

The Heart Sutra is more than just about emptiness. Every verse has a deeper meaning behind it. It contains the teachings of 4 Noble Truths, Noble Eightfold Path, 12 Links of Dependent Origination… All these are teachings from Sakyamuni Buddha, meant to help all sentient beings to end their suffering… If you are keen to explore the ‘mystical’ teachings in the Heart Sutra and to have a deeper understanding behind every verse that you chant, I will recommend this course to you – ‘The Heart of the Heart Sutra’ by Shen Shi’an.

Through this course, you will get to understand the meaning behind every single word and verse. On top of that, you will get to know the origin of Heart Sutra. You will also gain insights with different perspectives of the Heart Sutra. Teacher Shi‘an will also skilfully add in some jokes to lighten the mood so as to make sure we will not fall asleep!

At the end of the course, I realised that the Heart Sutra is not as simple as it seems to be. To be able to fully understand the Sutra, it will take years of study and practice. Within the 260 words of the short Heart Sutra, it is fully packed with all the goodness of the Dharma’s amazing wisdom. – Kelly

‘I really enjoy your Heart Sutra lessons, and been trying to listen to the audio music of the Heart Sutra every day. I hope to realise the contents of the Heart Sutra one day through practising the Dharma in daily life. May your teaching be passsed on to benefit more sentient beings, and may this be the cause to help more people to remove Dukkha from their present life.’ – Chengding

‘Hi Bro Shi’an, my heartfelt gratitude to you for propagating great Buddhist classes to benefit us all. It’s indeed our blessings to have you as a Dharma teacher in Singapore. I’ve indeed learnt & truly benefited from the Heart Sutra class (5th run). I do appreciate your strenuous effort and time devoted to put across the key meaning of ‘Emptiness not being just empty or nothing’… Upon attending your lessons (also attended ‘Understanding Amituofo Via The Amitabha Sutra’), recitation of Heart Sutra and Nianfo (Mindfulness of Amituofo) has becoming more meaningful to me, strengthening my faith & aspiration to be reborn In Pure Land. Once again, thanks for the great sharing, and may this be just the beginning of the many, many sentient beings coming forward to learn from your classes.’ – With Metta, Tuck Khuen

‘Yes! The [first] session is interesting. Going for Buddhist classes is something new to me… Your explanation is very clear and elaborate. You really make it easy for beginners to appreciate [the Heart Sutra].’ – Joyce

‘Thanks for the effort in making the lessons interesting with the many examples. I personally benefited much from these classes and have no regret attending. Have better understanding of “emptiness” as mentioned in this Sutra and also the Three Universal Characteristics which I had learnt many years ago. Hope more practitioners from the different schools of thought can attend this class.
Thanks…功德無量.’ – Andrew

‘First of all, I like to say a big thank you for your tremendous amount of work and effort in holding this class. In the past, I did not understand what is the real meaning behind the Heart Sutra, until I attended your lessons. Very informative, knowledgeable and clear… Once again, a big thank you. I believe all of us have truly benefited.’ – Vincent

‘Thank you for the detailed, comprehensive and informative materials presented in the class. Indeed, much effort and thoughtful preparation had been put forth to ensure that every single point was conveyed in a clear and easy to understood manner. While the examples given and experiences shared liven up the classes with laughter, they also taught us how to practically practise what we’ve learnt. I think you are a good student of the Buddha!’ – Ee

‘Thank you for conducting this class! I really enjoyed it and it seriously cleared many doubts of what I had when reading up on the concept of emptiness. In fact, after attending this class, I’m inspired to read up more and attend more lessons/talks on the Heart Sutra. I also like how you bring in stories and examples to illustrate the concepts, making it easier to understand… Once again, thank you for teaching this course and the notes sent every week. I am grateful for the opportunity to learn from a knowledgeable teacher like you.’ – Stephanie

Many thanks for another interesting & well taught course! You have given a lucid explanation of the Heart Sutra which is a profound teachings of emptiness taught by the Buddha. I like the slides and various examples you shared with us to help us understand the meaning of the Sutra better. I particularly like the story you shared during the last lesson… It serves as a reminder to me not to be emotionally affected and to remain calm… when face with ups and downs in life. I hope I can have the opportunity to attend your class again as I always enjoy and come out from the class with better understanding of the Buddha’s teachings. Thanks for sharing unselfishly your vast knowledge in Buddhism with us. Amituofo! – With Metta, Ivy

‘Thank you for the wonderful lesson [1] last week. Unfortunately I’m travelling this week and next, so won’t be able to attend, but hope to return in two weeks’ time.’ – Steve

‘Thank you… Your method of instruction is a refreshing change. What I particularly like is the way you presented the Buddha Dharma from a new angle.’ – Lihua

Some Feedback From Other Courses:

“Dharma Teacher Shi’an is very sincere and earnest in delivery of his courses. Always filled with many interesting and creative analogies or metaphors to let us have a better idea and understanding. The various creative media used and implementation of the element of humour brings the Dharma classes alive without boredom, very often allowing me to feel inspired and invigorated with renewed energy after the lessons. Really appreciate the amount of effort Teacher Shi’an put into preparing his classes. Hope that the work of Teacher Shi’an will continue and benefit more of us!” – Ricky

“The course was taught in a manner which could be easily comprehended by someone with minimal knowledge of Buddhism. Thank you for your efforts in motivating all participants by making the lessons interesting through sharing of real stories, and for relentless encouragement of us to nianfo. 功德无量! Amituofo.” – Jos

“I enjoyed all the 10 lessons. They were all excellent and I have gain much knowledge.” – Gerald

“Thank you very much for your class. I have learned very much from you and it inspires me to want to practise more. Thank you.” – Fucai

“I feel that your frequent use of examples to illustrate your points is very useful to me, especially as a beginner who find some topics rather abstract. It is also these examples used that makes the lessons interesting…” – Danny

“Thank you very much for having these sessions. Hope to see you again.” – Amituofo, Alex

“Hi Shi’an, appreciate very much for your teaching. The lessons are really valuable. The materials are well prepared and carefully written. They are very useful for recap. Initially I was quite hesitant to register for the course. I thought I would probably drop out mid way because it was on Saturday – a day when my work schedules are tight, and the location [Kong Meng San for 10th Run] is quite inconvenient for me.. but your lessons were really so knowledgeable and interesting, that I wouldn’t want to miss them. In fact, I had been looking forward to them. Among all, I found that the topic about the interruption between each life [due to death]… to somewhat have an awakening effect on me. Since then, I have started to nianfo everyday, and it has been consistently carried out for 3 weeks! I hope I have all the time to continue the practice and be mindful of Buddha every moment. I will recommend your teachings to my friends and family members.” – Thanks & Regards, Mee Nah

“Thank you very much for your sharing of Pure Land practice. I have enjoyed every session of the course. I had supposed it to be a serious and dull subject. However, you had made it interesting and fun through your jokes and excellent illustrations. Unfortunately, I missed the last session due to a family commitment. The course structure flowed very well and is very suitable for a layperson to understand Pure Land Buddhism in a progressive manner. Your constant encouragement to get us to clarify our doubts through email [and in person] was very useful. Now, I have a much better understanding of Pure Land practice. I look forward to furthering my understanding and practice on Pure Land Buddhism. Thank you once again.” – Amituofo, Lar Kee

“Thank you for the teaching and sharing of experiences. I also like to thank Brother Steven for sharing his experience with all of us. It showed us how someone practised what was learnt.” – Amituofo, Lisa

“Dear Bro. Shi’an, ‘The Gift of Truth Excels All Other Gifts.’ Thank you for sharing the Pure Land Teachings with us. You have delivered the teachings in a very concise, interesting and creative manner. We enjoyed the lessons very much and have benefitted a lot from them. We are glad to have an excellent Dharma teacher like you in the Buddhist world. Sadhu! Sadhu! Sadhu! Amituofo!” – With appreciation, Tuck Khuen, Amy, Ivy, Doris & Joey

‘I have enjoyed every session of your interesting teaching so far. And I am sure I will continue to enjoy the rest too.’ – Lar Kee

‘I must say I have been enjoying your classes very much and I find the stories inspiring.’ – Yin Fong

‘I would like to take this opportunity to let you know that I enjoy attending your Saturday evening classes…’ – Yalin

‘Thank you for the series of good and beneficial courses. Really enjoyed them and now have a better understanding of Amituofo… The pace and the build-up of the sessions is good, and you have made it very easy to follow and understand. Thank you for making them so lively and wonderful!’ – Camilly

‘It is great that you are committed to the propagation of the Dharma (and I must say that you do have a ‘gift’ for making it accessible)… I hope you will continue the good work in propagating the Dharma in the simple and interesting way that is characteristic of your style. With the Greatest Bodhicitta, William‘

‘Your teachings thus far has raised my faith factor and I am grateful to you for your sharing… I appreciate your generous sharing of the Dharma Teachings. It is indeed a very admirable deed. May the merits of the Triple Gem continue to bless you. I found your teachings educational, and to have enhanced my spiritual life.’ – Jenny

“I would like to thank you very much for your tireless teaching during your stay in Jakarta. The seminar really gave me a whole new perspective on Buddhism… I couldn’t have made a better decision than registering. A lot of the teachings were affirmative and complementing of what I’ve understood about Buddhism so far.” – William

“I had the impression that it would be a ‘dry’ and boring class initially. Thank Buddha you have the ability to make us giggle or laugh during class. It is a ‘good investment’ to sign up for your class.” – Irene

“Thanks for the very interesting sessions. It has been an enjoyable experience attending your class… Thanks for the very inspiring 10 sessions.” – Bee Lay

“Dear Brother Shi’an, We would like to express our heartfelt appreciation to you for conducting the Amitabha Sutra class. You are able to explain the sutra clearly and have provided excellent examples and illustrations. My husband, Lawrence, and I, together with our friends truly enjoy your class and we have gained a better understanding Amitabha Sutra. We also want to thank the volunteers for manning the registration booth every Saturday and the ushers… Once again, thank you for your excellent teaching. Rejoice. Namo Amituofo!” – Lay Ling & Lawrence

“The Amitabha Sutra class that you are conducting is really Great, Informative, Enlightening and Beneficial. We start to appreciate the Sutra and Buddha’s Teaching more… Amituofo.” – Choon Fah

“Thanks very much for weeks of enlightening and insightful edutainment. The ‘before/after effect’ (like Marie France) of Pureland teachings is indeed profound. I must say I’ve progressed rapidly in ‘faith, vows and practice’, thanks to your passionate and generous sharing.” – Han

“Thank you for the insightful answers! I look forward to Lesson 2 this Saturday.” – Amituofo, Yong Guan

“I should also thank you because you have inspired me to spread these wonderful Dharma especially about the Pureland to more people.” – Amituofo, Huan Ghee

“Ha ha ha u are a funny guy. Every time during the class, we look at your action and the way u give us example really make me laugh. Tks and keep up the good job.” – Sherlis

“Well presented. [Teacher] has passion for whatever he is teaching.” – Siying

“Very comprehensive notes complemented by informative emails. Excellent teacher. Teacher Shi’an is a very dedicated teacher. He is able to relate the sutra to us in an easy-to-understand manner. The lessons flow very well and are well paced.” – Lay Ling & Lawrence

“[Teacher is] very skilful, passionate and knowledgeable. This is a very good course. It helped to clarify a lot of my doubts and strengthened my faith.” – VM Ho

“[Teacher is] humorous and adorable.” – WK Koh

“Just want to let you know that I have enjoyed your 10 lessons on Understanding Amituofo. I now have a better understanding about Buddhism. I am looking forward to your new classes, please let me know the dates and place when available.” – Josephine Yap

“The instructor is very motivational and impactful.” – Meilin

“I think your lessons are very much well prepared. You have done much research. I can understand that it is difficult to do that. Well done! What matters most to me is the content. And you are humourous and friendly as well. Excellent!” – PS Chan

“Thank you for an educational and interactive first lesson. Fresh perspective and insight gained. My hubby and I enjoyed it thoroughly. Look forward to the next class. We enjoy every lesson. The path to Pure Land is simple and fuss free. Coming from the past 15 years of Theravada Buddhist teachings’ background, this is refreshing and would certainly add depth on our Dharma pursuits. We have never had a structured and systematic education on Buddhism of any branch although all our lives we are connected to it from birth. The laoshi (teacher) Shen Shi’an is engaging, witty and knowledgeable. Teacher is very well prepared, eloquent, knowledgeable and systematic. – Lye Wai Fun

“I really enjoy the class. Thanks for making the class interesting and engaging.” – Hazel

“Thank you for conducting the class on Pureland Buddhism. It was funny yet insightful.” – Louisa

“Information is well put across in a congruent and easy to absorb and systematic manner.”– Tingji

“Thanks for delivering such an interesting presentation that is beneficial for us to have a better fundamental understanding of Buddhism. The organising committee is very committed to make this class a success, and tried their best to provide a conducive environment for the participants.” – Yong Leow

“The trainer has done an excellent job in bringing Mahayana teachings to English-speaking Buddhists. He is able to dispel the myth that Chinese Buddhism is suitable only to illiterate old men and women. May the trainer be able to help more sentient beings to contact the teachings. May Buddhas and Bodhisattvas support him in his endeavor.” – Anon3

“It was an enlightening session for the lesson that you have conducted today. Thank you for imparting the knowledge on the ‘crash course’ (on Buddhism for the first lesson). Things I learn in your lesson today: To re-ignite my compassion to all beings, including those that I previously do not like due to heavy office politics. Your passion in Buddhism that energised my learnings. It was another informative session yesterday and I can understand the concept well, through your interesting presentation.” – Jeffrey

“[The teacher] is lively and can sustain attention.” – Anon4

“There are many comparisons to our daily lives to reinforce learning.” – Anon1

“This is a great course. I am thankful for this affinity that led me to this course and enable me to start walking the spiritual path.” – Anon2

“[The teacher] can explain very well!” – Bee Ting

“[The teacher is] well researched and well prepared.”– Jono

“Instructor allows us to email him questions in doubt which benefits beginners.”– Anon5

“Yes, very good and very relevant. You have also made it very interesting.” – Pearly

“[The teacher is] knowledgeable and humorous. The course is very informative and interesting.”– Anon6

“[The teacher is] a well learned practitioner.”– Richard

“Very engaging style of presentation.”– Anon7

“Straight to the point with good illustrations.”– Lam

“I enjoyed the first lesson yesterday night as you were an engaging and humourous teacher. Thanks.”– Yingying

“Many thanks for the inspiring sharing on 10 July.”– Hui Ping

“I find the course informative and delivered in an interesting manner.”– CH

“Many thanks, Shi’an! It was a very fruitful learning experience! Amitoufo!” – Jennifer

“Must tell you that we enjoy your class. It is very comprehensive, with easy to understand and lively presentation.”– Rita

“Your clarion call on high importance and high urgency of learning the route to Pureland was depicted with a ‘think out of the box’ (manner) effectively. Witty dialogue on the multi-purpose use of Amituofo’s name remains vividly in my mind. Leaves us much to practice. Thank you for being a wonderful teacher by bringing the Dharma to us in a simple, interesting and fun way. In all the classes, we had been educated and entertained! It was the very first time that we ever attended a structured course, though we are ‘Buddhists” all our lives. Lessons were joyfully taught by a highly knowledgeable and energetic instructor who engaged your attention and captivated your imagination by the power of interesting visuals and sometimes comical parables.” – Lye Wai Fun

“Brother Shi’an, You are a great teacher; your teachings alone are a tremendous inspiration to those like me who have good karmic affinity to listen to you. You sold and I bought the ticket to Pureland on the very first lesson in March last year. That’s how inspiring you are! Thank you. 阿弥陀佛 _()_ ” – Steven

“Thanks for the guidance. I have re-evaluated your advice and implemented it. The outcome is encouraging. Thank you for your statement that kept me motivated and not giving up. Thanks for making a difference in our lives.” – Jeffrey

“Hi Shi’an, I want to thank you for giving me better insights of the sutra, as well as instilling in me more faith. I am very thankful that I have the opportunity to attend your class. It is very difficult to find good English Buddhist classes and interesting teachers. I hope you can conduct more classes so we English educated ones would not miss the opportunity to understand and appreciate the Buddhist teaching and to reach Pure Land. Your class is super, never one moment boring and time just flies. I wish it never ends. Every moment is motivating, interesting, soft-selling but never forcing, well presented and delivered. Very good visual and presentation material. I believe that only those with faith and passion like you could conduct such classes. Academics would present and speak without conviction, but your easy style and passion makes the class alive, interesting and motivating. Shi’an good job!! Please don’t stop, we need your guidance. Thank you again.” – Amituofo, Pauline

About Shen Shi’an 沈时安:An independent Buddhist teacher, writer, poet, translator and editor, he was one of the founding members of the Dharma Propagation Division of Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery (Bright Hill Temple in Singapore) in 1997. Holding an MA in Buddhist Studies, which covered the major Buddhist traditions, he served as a Dharma Trainer and Project Coordinator in its Community Development & Training Department until 2011, focusing on Buddhist research, writing, teaching and answering of media queries. He was the founder of the temple’s Youth Mission (now ‘KMS Youth’), a book purchaser for its Awareness Place project, and the Chief Editor of the Web (and Library) Department, which co-supported Buddhanet.net, a popular Buddhist education website.

He is the founder and editor of TheDailyEnlightenment.com since 1997, one of the world’s largest independent Buddhist inspirational e-newsletters with over 29,000 members, the editor of ‘Be a Lamp Upon Yourself’, ‘The Stonepeace Book’ (Volume 1 & 2), ‘Awaken: Gateway to Buddhism’ and the writer of ‘The Daily Enlightenment (Book 1-5)’ and ‘The Amazing & Amusing Adventures of Sam & Sara: The Zen of All Kinds of Stuff!’ He also contributes occasionally to magazines such as ‘Nanyang Buddhist’, ‘Awaken’ (for which he was a Contributing Editor), ‘For You (Information)’, and ‘Eastern Horizon’. He served with the film selection team of a Buddhist film festival, writes movie reviews for BuddhistChannel.tv, the world’s leading Buddhist news network, and popularised Dharma@Cinema, which is an innovative way of sharing the Dharma through detailed reviews and discussions of both popular and offbeat films.

Specialising in the Pure Land teachings, he has taught the subject at Singapore Buddhist Federation, Kong Meng San, Pu Ji Si Buddhist Research Centre and Poh Ming Tse, while leading an ongoing weekly Pureland Practice Fellowship. He is also occasionally invited to conduct Dharma discussions for youths of tertiary institutions’ Buddhist societies (NUSBS, NTUBS, SIMBB, NYPBS, NPBS) on various subjects, and to introduce Buddhist life perspectives at Secondary Schools (St. Patrick’s School, Manjusri School), Junior Colleges (Catholic Junior College) and International Schools (UWCSEA, SJII).

He was a committee member of the Inter-Religious Organisation, through which he served in interfaith harmony projects by writing and giving of public talks. He has represented Buddhist points of view at governmental events conducted by NACLI, NHB, NHG, SAF, SPF, MHA, ACM, SPM, STB, OnePeople.sg, IRCC and MCYS.

He also co-runs Moonpointer.com, which is a community blog that promotes creative sharing of Buddhism via thousands of articles. He can be reached at tde [@] thedailyenlightenment.com for invitations to share the Dharma via talks and classes.